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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Outdoor Flashing Xmas Lights

104 replies

Hearmenow23 · 03/12/2023 05:29

slightly lighthearted

If you love all the Xmas lights and decorations- then great! I have my own inside. But you can't see your big fuck off flashing lights as they are outside your house, and you are inside it. In fact, your flashing lights are only seen by me and a few other neighbours, mainly in my living room and bedroom. I don't understand!!!! Why???

Obviously I can't say anything as that would make me look completely miserable, but don't people think?? Even lights permanently on would be preferable to the flashing!!!

AIBU to not want flashing lights pointed at my house?

OP posts:
GramCracker · 03/12/2023 07:00

I'm usually the first to whinge about other people showing-off or being over-excited. But Christmas lights warm even my cold, hard heart.

Then again, once the sun goes down I don't often leave my house.

Common sense suggests that if brief exposure to flashing lights, such as walking to your car, triggers a migraine, then you might need to see a doctor.

HolidayAddict23 · 03/12/2023 07:00

I completely agree that they are unnecessary. We have neighbours with a shit-ton of bright neon lights outside the front of their house, not even in Christmas colours or design. Lights up the fucking street and is tacky as hell. Hideous

Dentistlakes · 03/12/2023 07:00

I’m in two minds about this. I do quite like outside lights, although we don’t have any, it’s fun to see them on other people’s houses. However, I do find lights shining onto other people property inconsiderate. We have issues with a neighbours ridiculous flood lights which aren’t motion activated, but just click off and straight back on again. We are fervently hoping they move (they are generally massive pita) so haven’t formally complained; we want them to move!

iI would say that some people just like tacky stuff at Christmas time. It’s usually just a few weeks, so just tolerate it and try to enjoy the festive atmosphere.

Trez1510 · 03/12/2023 07:01

DancingAgain · 03/12/2023 06:55

Precisely how does drawing my curtains assist me when getting to and from my car, or opening my front door to visitors etc.?

So much for lighthearted. 🤣

Most migraineurs find their lightheartedness somewhat diminished by others' ridiculous 'Look At Me!!' behaviour.

TruthThatsHardAsSteel · 03/12/2023 07:03

Would you rather a 6ft light up trex?

Trez1510 · 03/12/2023 07:03

GramCracker · 03/12/2023 07:00

I'm usually the first to whinge about other people showing-off or being over-excited. But Christmas lights warm even my cold, hard heart.

Then again, once the sun goes down I don't often leave my house.

Common sense suggests that if brief exposure to flashing lights, such as walking to your car, triggers a migraine, then you might need to see a doctor.

Common sense tells you, if you are a diagnosed Migraineur, you don't need snidey comments from non-Migraineurs on the internet.

cleo333 · 03/12/2023 07:05

My neighbours did the same last year and it actually made me anxious as they flashed blue lights into every room at the front of our house . I was dreading this year but thank god they have less in your face ones .
I contemplated saying something but they are known as angry people so didn't . It's inconsiderate

DancingAgain · 03/12/2023 07:05

Most migraineurs find their lightheartedness somewhat diminished by others' ridiculous 'Look At Me!!' behaviour.

🙄 Ffs

Trez1510 · 03/12/2023 07:06

DancingAgain · 03/12/2023 07:05

Most migraineurs find their lightheartedness somewhat diminished by others' ridiculous 'Look At Me!!' behaviour.

🙄 Ffs

Not a Migraineur then? 🙄

madeinmanc · 03/12/2023 07:22

It makes the most sense on busy or main roads. I don't have an opinion on it except that they should turn off when it gets late and shouldn't disrupt neighbours.

DancingAgain · 03/12/2023 07:22

Not a Migraineur then?

I used to get migraines actually, at least twice a month for 3 days with sickness. I didn’t expect people to not have lights on their house due to them. I wouldn’t shit all over a thread about it like you’re doing...you don’t even have neighbours causing you this problem, you just wanted to make this thread about yourself. 🥱

Trez1510 · 03/12/2023 07:26

DancingAgain · 03/12/2023 07:22

Not a Migraineur then?

I used to get migraines actually, at least twice a month for 3 days with sickness. I didn’t expect people to not have lights on their house due to them. I wouldn’t shit all over a thread about it like you’re doing...you don’t even have neighbours causing you this problem, you just wanted to make this thread about yourself. 🥱

🙄

flexitime · 03/12/2023 07:36

We’ve got some string ones (like the ones you might put on a Christmas tree) wrapped around our fence, they’re 6 hours on - 4pm til 10pm, then off for 18 hours. I didn’t see any when shopping which had to be manually switched off every night and wouldn’t have bought them anyway. I thought ours looked quite nice 😂our son loves them and tbh I quite enjoy some of the bigger displays on our estate, brightens the neighbourhood up a bit.

We have curtains or blinds in every room which stop external light coming in, like cars arriving home. I’d be pretty annoyed if the lights were brighter than that and on all night.

Original poster
Hearmenow23 · 03/12/2023 07:38

Do they flash, though? Constantly on would be much less irritating!

OP posts:
Aria20 · 03/12/2023 07:44

I like this time of year walking the dog at night and seeing people's Christmas lights/decorations. Yes some are a bit too lairy the flashing blue lights and inflatable things but most are generally nice around here! They should turn them off when they go to bed though - just annoying and a waste of electricity otherwise!

jesterdourt · 03/12/2023 07:49

I love lights & decorations outside houses but obviously there are different tastes & flashing ones are naff but what can you do. although are blue ones worse?

I don’t understand how people have flashing indoor ones on their tree in the living room, rave on!

jesterdourt · 03/12/2023 07:52

Then again, once the sun goes down I don't often leave my house

Are you a vampire?!

IntoAThousandPieces · 03/12/2023 07:53

Precisely how does drawing my curtains assist me when getting to and from my car, or opening my front door to visitors etc.?

You said you don’t have any neighbours like that because you said you would move if you did, so it seems you’re safe going to your car and opening your from door to visitors anyway. I feel like you could start an argument in an empty room. 🤣

IntoAThousandPieces · 03/12/2023 07:58

I wouldn’t shit all over a thread about it like you’re doing...you don’t even have neighbours causing you this problem, you just wanted to make this thread about yourself.🥱

Right? Lighthearted OP said and all I’m reading about is bloody ‘migraineurs‘. 😅

Are you a vampire?!

Thats more like it. 🤣🤣🤣

DoktorPeppa · 03/12/2023 08:01

GramCracker · 03/12/2023 07:00

I'm usually the first to whinge about other people showing-off or being over-excited. But Christmas lights warm even my cold, hard heart.

Then again, once the sun goes down I don't often leave my house.

Common sense suggests that if brief exposure to flashing lights, such as walking to your car, triggers a migraine, then you might need to see a doctor.

Common sense suggests that those suffering from migraines or seizures probably have seen a doctor Confused

LlynTegid · 03/12/2023 08:02

Tacky and think of the energy bills.

jesterdourt · 03/12/2023 08:05

@IntoAThousandPieces im trying to pull it back!

KimberleyClark · 03/12/2023 08:07

flowerchild2000 · 03/12/2023 06:06

That's what drapes are for. If you're like this about something as delightful as Christmas lights I can't imagine how you are about real problems.

Unless you have blackout curtains, closing them isn’t always effective.

brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr · 03/12/2023 08:09

if your christmas lights:

a) flash OR
b) are blue OR
c) are cold white

then sorry but you’re getting christmas wrong

IntoAThousandPieces · 03/12/2023 08:09

jesterdourt

Appreciated! 😂